Chapter 149 To High Cliff Village (1/2)

”High Cliff Village?”

Everyone was surprised once they heard this name.

”The villagers were attacked by undead creatures?”

Marlene frowned and thought for a while.

”If the undead creatures were in their ghost form, then there's a high possibility that it was due to a Hell Rift. Or… it could be some creatures affected by the dark energy, in which it could get thorny.”

Although Marlene's primary concern wasn't wrong, the rest were more concerned on another matter.

”Sir, have you accepted the request?”

Shauna's expression dulled as she asked with uncertainty.

”Anne hates that place, can I don't go…”

The carefree maiden who was sitting on the chair, pouted and shown her displeasure.

”Mr. Rhode, I feel that this… isn't a good choice.”

”Lize?”

If anyone rejected this matter based on their reasons, it didn't really matter that much. But if it was from Lize… even Marlene was slightly startled. She couldn't understand why Lize, as a cleric, would reject this mission? Could it be that she missed out the part where Rhode mentioned that the undead creatures attacked the people there? Why would she question Rhode's decision about accepting that mission?

”Why would you think of it this way? According to Mr. Klautz's explanations, the people there are struggling right now. Since they were seeking help and we have accepted it, shouldn't we give our best to complete it?”

”Even if you said so…”

Lize's expression turned gloomy as she glanced at Rhode. She didn't know how she could explain her reasons. Just as she was hesitating, Rhode came to her rescue.

”Alright, look at it this way. Deep down, we know that all of us have no interest in High Cliff Village because that place has a bad reputation within all the mercenaries.”

”Bad reputation?”

”Yes, Missy.”

Old Walker nodded.

”Everyone in that village are sly, cruel, selfish bastards. They only know how to take advantage of others. We mercenaries had already been made used by them for so many times. Because of the natural geographical location of High Cliff Village, it was along one of the common trading routes, so was slightly troublesome. They would often seek help from Mercenary Association, hoping to get rid of wild monsters or bandits. But almost every single time when we accomplish our mission, these bastards will find excuses or ways not to give us the remunerations. Those people are just scums!”

”That's right! Anne helped them once by defeating a group of Kobolds. And what did those people say to Anne?! They said that Anne was too small and didn't look like a mercenary! They even suspected that Anne lied to them. In the end, they didn't pay Anne the money! Anne hates the people over there! If possible, Anne wouldn't want to see them again!”

Anne gritted her teeth and swung her little fists. From her angry expression, everyone could see how much she hated that place.

”And the worst part was, we couldn't do anything about this.”

Shauna joined in.

”If there were conflicts between mercenaries, then it's still under control because eventually, we would seek help from Mercenary Association to settle the issue. However those people are ordinary civilians, and if we wanted to get even with them, they could report us to the garrisons, and we would have to go to jail.”

”Me… too… Last time, my leader and I even helped the High Cliff Village get rid of the bandits, but in the end, they said that those bandits were people of the village and even threatened to say that we purposely killed the villagers. In the end, not only did my leader not receive the reward, but he had to pay compensations instead… just because we couldn't prove that those bandits weren't people of the village…”

Lize lowered her head. Even though no one could see her expression clearly, but judging from the way she clenched her fists, the maiden was unquestionably enraged.

”And that's why, Missy, those villagers in High Cliff Village are simply worse than the bandits. Even bandits talk about feelings, where they take turns to gang-rape women. If it's those bastards… hmph..! I think they would even rape their own daughter by themselves. Many mercenaries hope everyone from that village dies! And isn't this a good opportunity? Kid, don't accept this mission, just let them die, and you will be the idol of all mercenaries in Paphield Region!”

”…. Mr. Rhode, is it really that bad?”

Marlene purposely neglected Old Walker's insults and asked with doubt.

”It's even worse than what you imagined, by a thousand times.”

Rhode answered swiftly. The bad reputation of High Cliff Village wasn't only amongst the NPCs. Even in the game, they were too. The missions they gave were troublesome and time wasting. After finishing the task, they wouldn't acknowledge it and not only that, even when the players wanted to teach them a lesson, they would immediately turn to the village guards. When the low-leveled players faced these highly skilled guards, they could only retreat with unwillingness.

However, after the players managed to grow to higher levels, they would find the opportunity to revisit this place and slaughter everyone time and time again. No matter young or old, humans or animals, they would leave nothing behind.

If the Parliament was considered hateful, then the High Cliff Villagers would be utterly disgusting.

”… If that's the case, should we still accept it?”